In 1965, amid the civil rights movement and the War on Poverty, the Migrant Project of the North Carolina Council of Churches received federal funding to serve migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Early services included sanitation education, childcare, housing support, and summer school — meeting families where they were. By 1972, it incorporated as the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Association (MSFA), governed largely by farmworkers themselves, an early model of community-centered leadership.
As services expanded across the East Coast and into the Midwest, Telamon deepened its role in employment and early childhood programs, launching Migrant Head Start in Georgia, Delaware, and North Carolina. In 1984, it adopted the name Telamon — meaning a "column of support" — reflecting its role as a stabilizing force for families. In Indiana, it incorporated as Transition Resources Corporation (TRC), carrying forward the same mission.
Throughout the 1990s, Telamon | TRC expanded Migrant and traditional Head Start services, serving thousands of children across multiple states. By 1996, more than 2,200 children were enrolled in Telamon-operated Head Start programs in five states, reflecting a strong commitment to early learning as a foundation for long-term success. Geographic growth continued: Tennessee became the tenth state served, and Michigan emerged as a key hub for child and adult farmworker services.
Entering the new millennium, Telamon | TRC broadened its focus to include workforce development for youth and adults. Through Workforce Investment Act initiatives and National Farmworker Jobs Program grants, it supported farmworker youth ages 14–21 and adults seeking education, training, and career advancement. In 2009, Telamon | TRC earned Multi-State Organization certification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, expanding housing counseling and foreclosure prevention services across nine states.
The 2010s brought growth and innovation. Telamon | TRC expanded Early Head Start through home-based services, family literacy, and Early Learning Mentor Projects. In 2015, four Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership grants expanded care for 322 infants and toddlers across four states, while community support remained strong throughout the decade.
Today, Telamon | TRC serves families across 10 states, offering integrated services spanning education, career pathways, housing stability, financial confidence, and early childhood care. With deep expertise and trusted partnerships, we continue to adapt — responding to emerging challenges while remaining rooted in the belief that every family deserves opportunity. As we celebrate 60 years of impact, we look ahead with purpose, committed to empowering communities and strengthening systems that support families.
